Rapper releases music video based on Ukrainian tragedy, alters real-life ending
DaBaby releases "Save Me" music video inspired by tragic death of Ukrainian woman
American rapper Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, known as DaBaby, has released a video for his track "Save Me," depicting events surrounding the murder of Ukrainian woman Iryna Zarutska. While the real-life story ended tragically, the video on the artist's YouTube channel presents an alternative resolution.
Actors resembling Zarutska herself and the suspect in the crime, Dekarlos Brown, appeared in the video.
The video begins with excerpts from a real news story with footage of the tragedy recorded by surveillance cameras.
Footage of the tragedy from surveillance cameras (screenshot)
After that, DaBaby, together with the actors, step by step recreates the events. In one scene on a tram, the heroine sits across from a man representing the attacker. She looks out the window, unaware of the danger. At this moment, the words sound: "It's just some people, man. Unfortunately, we can't save 'em. I might be one of them."
Then the actor pulls out a knife and swings, but DaBaby intervenes, stopping the "killer" and saving the woman.
The clip ends with the scene where the heroine calmly walks home, and a GoFundMe page appears on the screen, opened by Zarutska's relatives to support her family.
DaBaby filmed a video based on the Zarutskaya tragedy (screenshot)
What is known about the murder of the Ukrainian woman
23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, who moved to the U.S. after the war, was killed on August 22, 2024, at the South End tram station in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Her body had stab wounds, and medics only confirmed death.
Soon, the police arrested the suspect, 32-year-old Dekarlos Brown, who had previously had multiple legal problems.
In January 2025, he was arrested for abusing the 911 system: while in the hospital, he repeatedly called emergency services, claiming that he had received an "artificial substance" that allegedly controlled his body.
Despite warnings, he continued calling, after which he was charged with a criminal offense.
The court released him without bail, under the condition that he attend hearings.
Authorities have not determined the motive. It is known that the Ukrainian woman and her attacker had not previously been acquainted.
The man is charged with murder on public transport property, and for this accusation, the attacker could face the death penalty.
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